About Naypyidaw

Naypyidaw, whose name translates to "Abode of Kings" or "Royal Capital," became Myanmar's official capital on November 6, 2005, when the government relocated administrative functions from Yangon. As the country's third-largest city, Naypyidaw is an entirely planned metropolis built at an estimated cost of $7 billion, spanning an impressive 7,000 square kilometers—six times the size of New York City. This ambitious project created a modern capital characterized by extraordinarily wide boulevards, including a 20-lane highway that rarely sees traffic congestion, and meticulously planned zones for government, residential, commercial, and diplomatic purposes. The city's low population density and spacious layout create an almost surreal urban environment, quite unlike traditional Southeast Asian cities, reflecting Myanmar's vision of a grand, orderly national capital befitting its status as a sovereign nation.

As the seat of Myanmar's government, Naypyidaw houses the impressive Assembly of the Union, the Supreme Court, and the sprawling 100-room Presidential Palace. The parliamentary complex alone comprises 31 buildings and includes some of the world's largest parliamentary structures. Fifty-one identical office buildings accommodate the 36 government ministries, creating a striking uniformity across the government zone. Despite its administrative importance, the city retains spiritual significance through landmarks like the Uppatasanti Pagoda, a near-exact replica of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda standing 99 meters tall. Visitors can explore the comprehensive National Museum showcasing Myanmar's history, the dazzling Gem Museum displaying the country's precious stone wealth, and the expansive Naypyidaw Safari Park—Southeast Asia's largest zoo, home to diverse wildlife in spacious natural habitats.